Music Notes

Fiona Yu (Year 10 Woollacott) received 100% (A+) High Distinction for her Theory Grade 2 exam.

Generations in Jazz

Last weekend has traditionally been a trip to Mt Gambier for Generations in Jazz, with some of our Vocal Jazz and Big Band members. While the event was cancelled for this year there has been a bit of publicity and social media posts around this event, from individuals and a few schools.

The concept of the event started in 1982 with three Mt Gambier locals, including Malcolm Bromley who spent a little time teaching piano at Westminster. Malcolm also featured on one of Westminster’s earlier CDs. The first event was held in 1987 at the Helpmann Theatre in Mt Gambier with seven bands taking part and a few special guests, including James Morrison. It has now grown to involve between 5000-6000 students in over 140 bands and 100 choirs!

Sadly we missed taking part this year, significant especially for our Year 12 students and all of the final year students across the country in what would have been their last GiJ.

We hope at some stage this year we will be able to perform some of the repertoires that our ensembles have made a start on. Big Band 1 are have begun working on a project which we will eventually share with our community.

In the meantime, this photo reminds us of one cohort that had their picture taken outside of this billboard when we arrived in Mt Gambier for GiJ a few years ago!

Jazz SA Superbands 2020

The Jazz SA Superbands started in earnest again this year. There were six rehearsals before the program was cancelled due to COVID-19. This year the Superbands involved Sam Blyzno (Year 12 Jeffries), Tim Blyzno (Year 12 Jeffries), Josh Langman ('19) and Tyler Leung ('19).

Westminster School still has a good representation of students and has over many years had over 20 students take part in this program. The hope is to reconvene at some stage this year once some of the restrictions have been lifted.

Congratulations to both Tim and Sam who were selected to part in this program.

Michael Degenhart
Director of Music